'''Full copy'''&mdash;copy all files from the backup source to the backup destination. Subsequent full backups may cause files that already exist on the destination to be copied anyway. In many cases this method uses far more time and bandwidth resources than what is necessary.

+

'''Full copy backup'''&mdash;copy all files from the backup source to the backup destination. Subsequent full backups may cause files that already exist on the destination to be copied anyway. In many cases this method uses far more time and bandwidth resources than what is necessary.

−

'''Differential'''&mdash;copy only the files that changed since the previous backup. This method is much less time, bandwidth, and energy resources than the full copy method. It is almost always the preferred method.

+

'''Differential backup'''&mdash;copy only the files that changed since the previous backup. This method is much less time, bandwidth, and energy resources than the full copy method. It is almost always the preferred method.

−

'''Remote (off-site)'''&mdash;don't put all your eggs in the same basket.

+

'''Remote (off-site) backup'''&mdash;don't put all your eggs in the same basket.

== Suggested workflow ==

== Suggested workflow ==

Revision as of 09:35, 27 June 2013

Computers fail, people make mistakes, environmental disasters happen. We recommend you back up your important data, as it is a small price to pay compared to data loss.

Contents

High-level techniques

Full copy backup—copy all files from the backup source to the backup destination. Subsequent full backups may cause files that already exist on the destination to be copied anyway. In many cases this method uses far more time and bandwidth resources than what is necessary.

Differential backup—copy only the files that changed since the previous backup. This method is much less time, bandwidth, and energy resources than the full copy method. It is almost always the preferred method.